“This will help in addressing impact of inflation to poor Filipinos,” Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has released P5 billion for Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
Pangandaman has approved release of fund to Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Additional resource will cover last year’s 4Ps grants in arrears or late payments due to deactivation or suspension of 4Ps beneficiaries comprising 703,888 households.
Flagship 4Ps program is national poverty reduction strategy of the government.
“DBM will do its part to streamline budget processes so that our citizens benefit from faster and more efficient delivery of essential services such as our 4Ps,” she said.
Funds will be sourced from last year’s continuing appropriations.
In his State of the Nation Address last month, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.said over 420,000 households have graduated from 4Ps or assessed as self-sufficient.
Program offers conditional cash transfers to poor households to improve their health, nutrition and education.
Data showed implementation of 4Ps has covered total of 3.98 million household beneficiaries across 41,676 barangays in the country. This is roughly 90 percent of 4.4 million target households of DSWD.
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Hse panel tax exempted donation to athletes
By Nidz Godino
“What that teaches us is that prize is never won on the day of competition itself, but years before…hard work, determination and sheer grit through many years of training wins over talent,” Rep. Joey Salceda said, recalling gymnast Carlos Yulo.
When Caloy was 12 years old winning the Olympics was his “dream.”
Proposal to exempt from taxes donations and prizes for athletes joining international sports competitions has hurdled House of Representatives’ committee on ways and means.
Panel chairman Salceda said House Bill 421, approved by his committee, “exempts not just prizes that are handed out by brands and companies after win,” but also “donations toward their training one year before competition.”
HB 421, originally dubbed “Hidilyn Diaz Law” in 18th Congress (2019-2022), didn’t make it in Senate.
Salceda said measure should also be named in honor of gymnast Carlos Yulo, who won two gold medals in ongoing Paris Olympics. Weightlifter Diaz won country’s first gold medal in 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.
“It follows philosophy I have espoused as Albay governor: rescue is bad word, because there is no need for rescue when all preparations have been made…capacity is everything… approach is to incentivize not the prize, but preparation…champions are not made overnight,” Salceda said.
Salceda’s committee also approved making bill’s exemption “retroactive to Jan. 1, 2024.”
Rep. LRay Villafuerte moved for “plenary approval” of measure, now called “Carlos Yulo bill.” Senior administration legislator was author of House Bill 8226, one of the six bills incorporated into committee-passed substitute bill.
“Yulo’s victory should prompt our sports officials to give long hard look at giving priority to development of relatively non-traditional sports like gymnastics to further sharpen our global edge in international sports competitions, if we sharpen our focus on sports disciplines like gymnastics and hire A-1 coaches and trainers from overseas to mentor our promising athletes, I am sure we will be able to produce more medalists like Caloy in international sports events like Olympic games,” Camarines Sur second district congressman said.
Speaker Martin Romualdez is eyeing lifetime pension for Filipino athletes who have earned medals in Olympics, apart from other benefits that they may be entitled to under proposed legislation.
Romualdez made proposal as he acknowledged “immeasurable and priceless” achievements of Yulo and Diaz who won golds in separate Olympics season.
Romualdez said while nation may not be able to fully repay the two athletes for making Filipinos proud, “we can acknowledge their triumph by way of giving them benefits from government.”
Lawmakers, he said, are studying possibility of “enhancing and increasing” government benefits to medalists in Olympics.
“And one of these is giving lifetime pension to all Filipino Olympic gold, silver and bronze medalists who all brought honor and pride to our country…this will start by time they reach age of 40, or when they retire from their field of sport,” Romualdez said.
The Speaker had already asked members of concerned House committees to initiate discussions on passing bill that would “institutionalize” grant of more benefits, financial or otherwise, to Filipino Olympic medalists.
At the same time, Romualdez directed appropriate House committees to study amendments to “National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act (Republic Act 10699),” to determine if law needs to be updated to reflect needs of athletes and coaches.
He said giving more benefits to Filipino Olympic medalists would guarantee secure and brighter future for them, even after their retirement from sports they excelled in.
Romualdez described gymnast Yulo as “once-in-a-century Filipino athlete” following his exceptional double gold victory at Paris Olympics. He first clinched gold in men’s floor exercise on Saturday and followed it up with another gold in men’s vault on Sunday.
His victories marked Philippines’ first and second Olympic medals in gymnastics and country’s second and third gold medals since joining Summer Games exactly a century ago, also held in Paris.
The Speaker praised Yulo’s achievements for “bringing immense pride and joy to the nation and showcasing unparalleled talent and dedication of Filipino athletes on the global stage.”
“His remarkable performance at Paris Olympics, winning double gold in both floor exercise and vault, is testament to his hard work, perseverance and exceptional skill,” Romualdez said of Yulo.
House of Representatives has pledged P3 million for gold medalists, P2 million for silver medalists and P1 million for bronze medalists.
With Yulo winning two gold medals, he will get minimum incentive of P6 million from House.
On top of this, Yulo will receive additional cash incentives from fundraising campaign initiated by Speaker among his colleagues in the chamber.
Yulo will also be conferred congressional medal for his exceptional achievement and contribution to Philippine sports.
Earlier, Romualdez extended financial assistance to all 22 Filipino athletes participating in Paris Olympics.
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Legal action vs Yulo accusers
By J.Lo
“Public is hereby reminded that sharing of these fake posts, as well as harsh and libelous comments made in said posts, are also actionable under Anti-Cybercrime Law… advisable that public delete their comments to avoid prosecution,” lawyer Raymond Fortun said in post Angelica Yulo, mother of the two-time Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo is considering filing charges against individuals who spread “fake posts” and post “libelous comments” against her.
In a statement Monday evening, Fortun said all posts against Olympian’s mother are “untrue, fake, and mere products of imagination and fantasy by heretofore unknown individuals.”
Fortun warned that Yulo matriach will tap help of National Bureau of Investigation to identify individuals posting “harsh and libelous comments” before filing charges.
His statements were made in response to social media posts alleging rift between Yulo and his mother over financial issues.
Under Anti-Cybercrime Prevention Act, libel is defined similarly to how it is in the Revised Penal Code (RPC) but committed through cyberspace.
Its penalty, however, has one degree higher than what is mentioned in RPC.
He also noted that the Yulo matriarch had given two media interviews about her son, but mentioned that these were edited, with only select portions being uploaded.
“It is regrettable, albeit expected, that only her comments regarding his relationship with Ms. San Jose were uploaded,” Fortun said.
One of the interviews the lawyer referred if from radio, where the Yulo matriarch mentioned that there rift between their family was caused by Olympian’s girlfriend.
“Finally, Mrs. Yulo and her family wish to assure public that they share in jubilation of entire nation in achievements of Carlos Edriel and look forward to welcoming him home,” Fortun said.
In the evening of August 4, Yulo bagged second gold medal of Philippines in 2024 Paris Olympics.
Philippine government will award him P10 million and an Olympic Gold Medal of Valor to be issued by the Philippine Sports Commission by virtue of Republic Act 10699 or National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act.
Aside from government mandated incentives, two-time gold medalist is also set to receive “gifts” from country’s top tycoons and P6 million cash incentive from House of Representatives.
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Hse believes drug syndicates use POGOs for money laundering
By Nidz Godino
“It seems drug lords launder their money through POGOs… could be direct link between POGOs and drug syndicates,” Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, chairman of House committee on dangerous drugs, told reporters at news briefing in Pampanga House of Representatives believes drug syndicates in the country use illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) to launder dirty money, as proven by series of investigations among several committees. “Why did I say that…because there are registered corporations whose incorporators are same incorporators of owner of warehouse where P3.6 billion worth of drugs were seized in 2023,” he pointed out.According to Barbers, this simply means Empire 99 owns prohibited drugs in Mexico, Pampanga have similar “associates” with those in POGOs, where they have “same set of incorporators.” “So, their interlocking incorporators is our link that they may be involved in illegal POGO operations, and this goes directly to businessman Michael Yang, whose brother remits money to POGO in Bamban, Tarlac,” he explained further.Fernandez presented detailed matrix linking several Chinese nationals, including Yang, to both alleged illegal POGO activities and drug operations.He revealed Yang’s brother, Hong Jiang Yang, is “incorporator” of Paili State Group Corporation, along with Rose Nono Lin and “Hong Ming Yang,” believed to be Chinese name of Michael Yang.Fernandez then drew attention to findings of Anti-Money Laundering Council involving suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo. Fernandez further explained links between Yang’s brother was established after having transactions with Guo totaling about P3.3 billion.Origin and destination of all these funds still “remain unclear” to this day.“Come to think of it, Mayor Guo’s transactions alone reached P29 billion in her 36 accounts…so, how much more other bank accounts of these other personalities?” Fernandez asked, emphasizing scale of billions of pesos in financial transactions among suspected drug traffickers.Barbers, along with chairman of House committee on public order and safety Sta. Rosa Rep. Dan Fernandez, Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales and several others, joined Speaker Martin Romualdez in inspecting raided POGO hubs in Tarlac and Pampanga. Romualdez will help Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. shut down POGOs with whatever legislation may be required.
“It seems drug lords launder their money through POGOs… could be direct link between POGOs and drug syndicates,” Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, chairman of House committee on dangerous drugs, told reporters at news briefing in Pampanga House of Representatives believes drug syndicates in the country use illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) to launder dirty money, as proven by series of investigations among several committees.
“Why did I say that…because there are registered corporations whose incorporators are same incorporators of owner of warehouse where P3.6 billion worth of drugs were seized in 2023,” he pointed out.
According to Barbers, this simply means Empire 99 owns prohibited drugs in Mexico, Pampanga have similar “associates” with those in POGOs, where they have “same set of incorporators.”
“So, their interlocking incorporators is our link that they may be involved in illegal POGO operations, and this goes directly to businessman Michael Yang, whose brother remits money to POGO in Bamban, Tarlac,” he explained further.
Fernandez presented detailed matrix linking several Chinese nationals, including Yang, to both alleged illegal POGO activities and drug operations.
He revealed Yang’s brother, Hong Jiang Yang, is “incorporator” of Paili State Group Corporation, along with Rose Nono Lin and “Hong Ming Yang,” believed to be Chinese name of Michael Yang.
Fernandez then drew attention to findings of Anti-Money Laundering Council involving suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo.
Fernandez further explained links between Yang’s brother was established after having transactions with Guo totaling about P3.3 billion.
Origin and destination of all these funds still “remain unclear” to this day.
“Come to think of it, Mayor Guo’s transactions alone reached P29 billion in her 36 accounts…so, how much more other bank accounts of these other personalities?” Fernandez asked, emphasizing scale of billions of pesos in financial transactions among suspected drug traffickers.
Barbers, along with chairman of House committee on public order and safety Sta. Rosa Rep. Dan Fernandez, Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales and several others, joined Speaker Martin Romualdez in inspecting raided POGO hubs in Tarlac and Pampanga.
Romualdez will help Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. shut down POGOs with whatever legislation may be required.
‘Very thin oil sheens’ detected from 2 vessels — PCG
By J.Lo
“BFAR regularly inspects fish at Navotas fish port and conducts sensory evaluation, plus fish delivered there came from other areas before distributing to other markets,” Department of Agriculture (DA) Assistant Secretary and spokesman Arnel de Mesa said Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) continues to monitor “very thin oil sheens” seen from two of three vessels sank and ran aground off Bataan.
Oil spill booms are still present in the areas where tanker MT Terra Nova sank in Limay and where MV Mirola 1 beached on shores of Mariveles, according to Coast Guard.
It said PCG is performing “continuous repositioning and maintaining of oil spill booms” for Terra Nova as well as “monitors oil spill booms and continues oil recovery and containment” on Mirola 1.
PCG reported “presence of very thin oil sheens on ground zero” of Terra Nova.
Previously, PCG rated oil spill from sunken tanker at one liter per hour following installation of canvas caps that sealed valves of tanks containing estimated 1.4 million liters of industrial fuel.
It is also awaiting fabrication and installation of metal caps that will replace canvas caps within two weeks, according to estimate given to PCG by salvage company in charge of performing upcoming siphoning operation for Terra Nova.
Meanwhile, PCG had “recovered 790 liters of oil-water mixture and five sacks of contaminated oil debris using absorbent pads” from MV Mirola 1 as of yesterday.
On the other hand, PCG and another salvage company “continue salvage operations” for sunken tanker MT Jason Bradley, as they were preparing equipment and personnel on site as of yesterday.
“Divers prepare for pipe insertion by clearing debris,” PCG said.
Meanwhile, ranking official of DA assured public of safety of fish sold in the markets amid drop in demand following oil spill off Limay, Bataan.
At press briefing, De Mesa said fish at Navotas fish port were examined by Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.
DA official noted that fish from Navotas fish port came from Lucena, Quezon and other provinces and not from areas affected by oil spill.
“Fish sold in markets are guaranteed safe based on assurance of BFAR as fishing ban is being implemented in areas affected by oil spill,” he said.
At the same time, De Mesa assured public of enough fish supply despite many areas being affected by oil spill.
“As of now, supply is not affected as based on latest data from our municipal ports, catch is higher compared to the same period last year and those affected are not major source,” he said.
He added DA would provide P3,000 fuel subsidy to help fisherfolk affected by oil spill.
“We have P500-million budget for fuel subsidy,” De Mesa said.
He added BFAR would continue to provide relief assistance to areas affected by oil spill after food packs were distributed to fisherfolk in Noveleta, Cavite over the weekend.
“These officers were relieved not for their abuses but for their failure to arrest Quiboloy and his co-accused,” Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil clarified during Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs 15 police officers have been relieved for failing to arrest Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy.
Of the 15 cops, 12 were non-commissioned police officers.
Marbil immediately directed PNP Internal Affairs Service to conduct impartial investigation to determine if any operational lapses or excessive force were committed during police operation at Quiboloy’s compound in Davao in June.
He maintained police were simply doing their job in keeping with established procedures.
“It was critical mission to execute lawful warrant of arrest against fugitives Quiboloy and five others in connection with non-bailable offenses of child abuse and qualified trafficking,” Marbil said.
He stressed police operation was carried out with strict adherence to PNP operational procedures.
“Our guiding principle was to uphold human rights while executing our duties with highest standards of professionalism and respect for law,” Marbil said.
Marbil stated that members of KOJC chose to use women and children as human shields, obstructing and delaying lawful actions of police.
He also said male members of the group were armed with bolos and other bladed weapons and engaged in violent confrontations with police officers.
At least six people and two minors were taken to police station but were released same day for humanitarian reasons, according to Marbil.
Apprehended individuals, however, face criminal charges for obstruction of justice under Presidential Decree 1829.
Defy tiredness, sleeplessness for golden vault win
By J.Lo
“It’s crazy because last night I couldn’t sleep… I was so hyped because I had won that gold medal on floor,” 24-year-old Carlos Yulo shrugged off sleepless night to win gymnastics gold in men’s vault at Paris Olympics on Sunday, 24 hours after claiming floor title for piece of Philippines sporting history.
“It still didn’t sink in…this morning I was so sleepy, I didn’t know what to do.”
Armenia’s Artur Davtyan took silver with Britain’s Harry Hepworth just denying his compatriot and vault world champion Jake Jarman for bronze.
Prior to Yulo’s heroics in Paris, Philippines had only ever won one gold medal at the Olympics.
“I was just hoping to perform well today… I didn’t really expect medal… really felt like bonus for me,” he smiled, adding that he had grabbed some shut eye whenever he got chance before final.
“I slept in the bus, I slept after podium training… I slept before going to competition area… I kind of was napping for 15 to 20 minutes… I felt good after that and I just went for it.”
Before Carlos Yulo’s gold, there was Teofilo Yldefonso
By J.Lo
“Confusion remains regarding Yldefonzo’s death…official records state that Yldefonso died from dysentery and septicemia… however, narratives from his family state Yldefonso was wounded by shrapnel and developed gangrene,” PVAO said Carlos Yulo’s incredible feat in Paris Olympics flung him into higher echelons of Filipino athletes in history.
Yulo, who won two Olympic gold medals in Paris, became first Filipino to achieve such feat.
But almost century before, Philippines actually won multiple medals in the Olympics, albeit in consecutive editions.
And it was done by literal hero.
Swimmer Teofilo Yldefonso became first Filipino to win medal in Olympics back in 1928 Summer Games in Amsterdam bronze in 200 meter breaststroke swimming event.
It was not just Philippines’ first. It was actually first-ever Olympic medal from Southeast Asia.
And he did it again in the Los Angeles edition of quadrennial sports meet in 1932, taking home another bronze for the country.
Feat of “Ilocano Shark” is Philippines’ first taste of Olympic excellence, with Yldefonso blazing trail to where it is now.
But glorious run of Yldefonso came to bitter end.
According to Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) of Department of National Defense, Yldefonso enlisted in Philippine Scouts in 1922. Twenty years later, at the height of World War 2, he was among those who fought for Philippines.
DND said Yldefonso was among those who were forced to take part in infamous Bataan Death March. While he survived ordeal, he ultimately succumbed to illness.
His remains reportedly were never found.
Historical marker was erected in his honor in Piddig, Ilocos Norte as he is immortalized. He was also earlier inducted into International Swimming Hall of Fame.
Fast forward to 2024, total of 13 Filipino athletes have won medals in the Games.
And huge bulk of credit should rightly go to the hero Yldefonso, who broke invisible Olympic medal barrier for the Philippines.
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